Gay priest considered marrying despite church ban
A gay priest has revealedĀ he considered flouting the church’s ban on same-sex weddings, but decided against doing so.
Reverend Dominic McClean, who has already entered intoĀ a civil partnership with his partner, is currently facing backlash over plans to hold a āthanksgivingā ceremony in St Peterās Church in Market Bosworth.
Some parishioners have objected to the church being used ā claiming that it contravenes a Church of England ban on same-sex blessings and weddings.
However, ReverendĀ McClean has since told the TelegraphĀ that he initially planned toĀ marry his partner, but eventually opted to enter into a civil partnership instead.
He said: “We had thought about other alternatives and I would hope in the future that thatās where the Church will be but thatās not where the Church is now.
“It is also a pastoral thing…. I’ve spoken to some parishioners here who [were] incredibly supportive of what I’m doing here but would not have been so comfortable if I were getting married and I have got to take into account that I am in a rural area here.”
At least two clergy have already violated the ban on same-sex couples marrying – hospital chaplain Jeremy Pemberton, and London vicar Andrew Cain.
